Protons: 16Electrons: 16Neutrons: 16Most common isotope: Sulfur-32Number of protons in Sulfur-32: 16
Background Information
Sulfur was often used in ancient times for many different purposes. In the English translation of the bible, sulfur was referred to as "brimstone", and was used during "fire-and-brimstone" sermons, where it was burned as a symbol of eternal damnation of sinners and nonbelievers. This is where the idea that Hell smells like sulfur originated. The Chinese discovered a form of sulfur called shiliuhuang in 6th century BC, and continued to use other forms of it in 3rd century BC for various purposes, and were intrigued by it's flammability and reactions to certain metals.
However, in 1777, scientist Antoine Lavoisier discovered that sulfur officially was an element. The origin of its name comes from the Sanskrit word sulvere and the Latin word sulphurium. It belongs to the chalcogen family along with oxygen, selenium, tellurium, and polonium. In modern times, sulfur is also used for many purposes, such as adhesives, animal feed, cement, explosives, fertilizer, steel, glass, sugar refining, rubber, matches, pesticides, etc.
Physical Properties
Odorless, tasteless, and light yellow. It has a chalky substance to it.
State at room temperature: Solid
Melting point: 115.21°C
Boiling point: 444.60°C
Density: 2.067 g/cubic centimeter
Abundance in earth's crust: 500 ppb
Chemical Properties
Elements Sulfur reacts with: flourine, potassium
Compounds sulfur is part of: hydrogen sulfide, sulfur trioxide
Additional Uses
As mentioned earlier, sulfur has had many important uses throughout history and still today. Its principal use, though, is in the preparation of its compounds. Among the numerous compounds of Sulfur, sulfuric acid is the most important, which is used in the making of fertilizers, paper, glue, rubber, paints, dyes, and plastics. Another important compound of sulfur is sulfur dioxide. This compound is used as a bleaching agent, disinfectant, and refrigerant.
SULFUR
Background Information
Sulfur was often used in ancient times for many different purposes. In the English translation of the bible, sulfur was referred to as "brimstone", and was used during "fire-and-brimstone" sermons, where it was burned as a symbol of eternal damnation of sinners and nonbelievers. This is where the idea that Hell smells like sulfur originated. The Chinese discovered a form of sulfur called shiliuhuang in 6th century BC, and continued to use other forms of it in 3rd century BC for various purposes, and were intrigued by it's flammability and reactions to certain metals.However, in 1777, scientist Antoine Lavoisier discovered that sulfur officially was an element. The origin of its name comes from the Sanskrit word sulvere and the Latin word sulphurium. It belongs to the chalcogen family along with oxygen, selenium, tellurium, and polonium. In modern times, sulfur is also used for many purposes, such as adhesives, animal feed, cement, explosives, fertilizer, steel, glass, sugar refining, rubber, matches, pesticides, etc.
Physical Properties
Odorless, tasteless, and light yellow. It has a chalky substance to it.State at room temperature: Solid
Melting point: 115.21°C
Boiling point: 444.60°C
Density: 2.067 g/cubic centimeter
Abundance in earth's crust: 500 ppb
Chemical Properties
Elements Sulfur reacts with: flourine, potassiumCompounds sulfur is part of: hydrogen sulfide, sulfur trioxide
Additional Uses
As mentioned earlier, sulfur has had many important uses throughout history and still today. Its principal use, though, is in the preparation of its compounds. Among the numerous compounds of Sulfur, sulfuric acid is the most important, which is used in the making of fertilizers, paper, glue, rubber, paints, dyes, and plastics. Another important compound of sulfur is sulfur dioxide. This compound is used as a bleaching agent, disinfectant, and refrigerant.Read more: sulfur: Uses — Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/sci/A0861347.html#ixzz1ihNTffQb
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfur
http://education.jlab.org/itselemental/ele016.html
http://www.chemicool.com/elements/sulfur.html